6 minutes ago, Bates Mate said:

Who goes to Bailey? That kid is a matchwinner

Reckon rivers? 

10 hours ago, GOLORDIE said:

Isn't Hunt out for the rest of the season?

I reported elsewhere that Jayden had planned to try a run last Tuesday. I (and he) was wrong.
He was aiming to go for a run today.

I am truely amazed by some of the comments on here. It seems that people expect every player  to perform there best ever game every week. We have just finished on top at the end of the season playing the team that was second. We won! So those 22 must have collectively done almost everything possible. Why change when most of the options have not played in weeks and have zero game experience. All of a sudden players that have played almost every game are " given another week" please it isn't broke so don't fix it. Baring injury no change

 

Edited August 23, 20213 yr by old dee

Agree with this in most part OD, I would place one caveat though that you do need to look at "horses for courses". I think Joel Smith has played fine the last 2 weeks, but I also think that if Hibberd is a better match up for Charlie Cameron and Smith would effectively not have a suitable opponent, then considerations need be made on this basis occasionally irrespective of form. There may be other match ups for Smith that are suitable, but I'm not sure we have too many better match ups for Cameron apart from Hibberd with Hunt unavailable.

With Tom Mc, I believe he could win us the game, but if he doesn't play, any replacement is unlikely to? He did win us the game v Sydney and was instrumental in Richmond and importantly the Brisbane wins along with a few other games. On that basis he should and will stay in.

1 hour ago, M_9 said:

I reported elsewhere that Jayden had planned to try a run last Tuesday. I (and he) was wrong.
He was aiming to go for a run today.

Fingers crossed for him. If you get anymore updates on his progress please let us know!

11 hours ago, Rusty Nails said:

Just wondering if Goody might play Viney mostly at HF with smaller time through the Middle this week in order to play a defensive forward role to curtail Rich?

Rich had over 800 meters gained against the Eagles.

Could also share this role with Sparrow?

I think Rich is the most important player to put time into this week, he gives them so much drive out of the backline, Birchall has become a chipper rather than long kicker and we play much better when we're forcing teams to go short and slow. Sparrow was very good overhead and matches Rich for height so I'd give him first go, but could understand if they brought Melksham in to do a tagging role, he's done it before in the forward line and the defender can't leave him alone because he'll kick goals.

I think there'll be no changes, but I'd wonder if they contemplate shutting down Rich. 

Selection will be very interesting this week.  On the one hand how could you drop anyone from that effort on the weekend?

At the same time, there's a bunch of players that have played a key role to getting us into this position this year that seem out of favour / coming back from injury (eg Jordon, Hunt) and others who have risen to the occasion previously (Hibberd, Melksham, Jones).

Maybe Smith, Bowey, Sparrow etc are simply in the right place at the right time.  Not saying they don't deserve to be in it - but the likes of Jordon and Hibberd seem pretty stiff.

I've always rated Smith and thought he just needed an extended crack at it - still too early to know but there's plenty of up side.  For those that have seen him at VFL level, does he sometimes get the smaller quick forwards?  I.e. could he be played on Cameron this week?  Alternatively could they give this role to May (he's played on Toby Greene etc) given that Petty is our tallest defender and could pick up Danither?

4 minutes ago, Red and Blue realist said:

I think Rich is the most important player to put time into this week, he gives them so much drive out of the backline, Birchall has become a chipper rather than long kicker and we play much better when we're forcing teams to go short and slow. Sparrow was very good overhead and matches Rich for height so I'd give him first go, but could understand if they brought Melksham in to do a tagging role, he's done it before in the forward line and the defender can't leave him alone because he'll kick goals.

I think there'll be no changes, but I'd wonder if they contemplate shutting down Rich. 

Found it interesting how Lloyd highlighted yesterday how Henry was playing on Spargo in the last quarter and dropped off him (as Lever does) when the ball came in - leaving Spargo on his own to crumb (and kick 2 goals).  

I guess this is why we like playing with an extra back - so we don't allow this to happen.

Agree with your point re Melksham - give him space and he will hurt you by foot.

17 hours ago, Deemania since 56 said:

That is Goodwin. He played the Weed too often, too expensively. Smith has better skills than the Weed and somewhere in the 22 that might be selected, there should be a spot for the talents of Joel Smith. Settled and existing talents, at that; but these are only ideas, not dictates, so attempt to get over it, will you?

 

Like your idea to sack Goodwin when we 9-0?

for me:

hibberd in for smith because of his greater experience and flexibility and knows his place in defence setup

Jordon the sub

wouldn't be concerned if jordon and sparrow swapped, much of a muchness

tmac gets benefit of doubt for slow comeback

On 8/21/2021 at 10:34 PM, Josh said:

I'd go smaller. Melksham or Jordan (I prefer Melksham) 

 

I think we've played out best footy with 2 talls

Who is the second tall then?  Fritch is mid sized. 

Melksham stopped playing 4 quarter footy last year (at least) - he won't cut it in finals. Even injured, McDonald is better than Jake. He has kicked 30 goals this year and his fitness (when fit) has been the sort of thing you need to win finals.

McDonald is obviously suffering from the back injury related to flying up and down the east coast of Australia before the Suns game.  Probably not the time for an aerial tour of Australia, but who am I to judge?

I've almost gained faith in selectors this year.  If they pick McDonald, then he is right to play and part of our best 22.

Not that this affects our line up but did Harris Andrews do his hamstring?

I was watching Kane Cornes via the AFL site Sunday morning and he said he came off late in the game, when I checked the injuries he wasn’t mentioned.

On 8/22/2021 at 9:54 AM, loges said:

For all the face palmers I do hope I"m wrong.

Tmac is certainly a confidence player and being absent was going to have a say.

Hell bounce back. Especially finals. Also was responsible for our winning streak at the start.

Edited August 23, 20213 yr by leave it to deever

6 hours ago, Spud said:

I think Joel Smith has played fine the last 2 weeks, but I also think that if Hibberd is a better match up for Charlie Cameron and Smith would effectively not have a suitable opponent, then considerations need be made on this basis occasionally irrespective of form. There may be other match ups for Smith that are suitable, but I'm not sure we have too many better match ups for Cameron apart from Hibberd with Hunt unavailable.

Was just thinking the same thing

smith has done nothing wrong and would be hard to drop him….but is Hibbo the better match up for Charlie?

Edited August 23, 20213 yr by Nicko
Spelling

23 minutes ago, leave it to deever said:

Tmac is certainly a confidence player and being absent was going to have a say.

Hell bounce back. Especially finals. Also was responsible for our winning streak at the start.

Absolutely love the bloke and we need him to fire 

I don't think they bring Hibberd back again. Was brought in for the Adelaide and Lynch led him a merry dance.

Smith is not the perfect product by any means but he has the physical capabilities. 

On 8/22/2021 at 8:18 AM, ucanchoose said:

Bowey's 90% disposal efficiency gets the nod

No way known Bowey goes out for ANYONE

STAR in the making🤩

9 hours ago, Bates Mate said:

Who goes to Bailey? That kid is a matchwinner

 

9 hours ago, roy11 said:

Booted 4 against us last time.

 

9 hours ago, Demongirl35 said:

Reckon rivers? 

 

Depends where he plays.

Last week he didn't get a disposal inside 50 (did have 4 inside 50s for 3 goal assists, and 2 tackles inside 50 though). Whereas in round 12 he was closer to goal.

 

9 hours ago, M_9 said:

I reported elsewhere that Jayden had planned to try a run last Tuesday. I (and he) was wrong.
He was aiming to go for a run today.

 

7 hours ago, Jaded said:

Fingers crossed for him. If you get anymore updates on his progress please let us know!

Mentioned in the injury report.

 

“He’s giving himself every chance and we’ll see how he progresses later on in the week"

https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/1007697/injury-report-smooth-sailing-for-finals

1 hour ago, Bombay Airconditioning said:

Not that this affects our line up but did Harris Andrews do his hamstring?

I was watching Kane Cornes via the AFL site Sunday morning and he said he came off late in the game, when I checked the injuries he wasn’t mentioned.

Andrew’s did not play, he was left out of the side with hamstring soreness. He and Mitch Robinson are reportedly back this week.

Re-watched the Round 12 game and Brisbane’s round this weekend. Despite losing Hipwood they seem more dangerous. Cockatoo was intense and Rich shows how damaging he can be either linking or driving the ball easily into forward 50.

I would love to see ANB take a defensive forward roll on Rich to limit his impact, and leave Harmes around the ball like he currently is.

Our small forwards were prolific in R12, so need Kosi and Spargo to lift again. McDonald and Fritsch kicked a few but Weids had a doughnut. with BB in hopefully we can improve. 

Im confident our defence can keep up the intercepting pressure and hold Daniher accountable. Petty could be up to being on Daniher with May and Lever intercepting.

So for me the two risks are:

1. It will all be about about midfield efficiency and tackles. Brisbane play with speed, so force turnovers and capitalise.

2. They love playing the man and not the ball. Can’t get sucked into their game like we did in R12 and give them a 20 point head start. Need to protect Gawn and Oliver.

On 8/22/2021 at 8:12 AM, #11-TonyAnderson said:

Tmac almost took a clutch mark in the last that created a crumbed goal. He stays for mine

That…is a low bar. 
 

But I do think he should play. 

Jones for either Sparrow or Harmes, I won't forget Dew's cameo for the Hawks in the GF. I really feel Jones has a couple of games left and is a proper hard body.

20 hours ago, Pollyanna said:

Like your idea to sack Goodwin when we 9-0?

Yes, Yze and Chocko have done wonders.

12 hours ago, TheWiz said:

Im confident our defence can keep up the intercepting pressure and hold Daniher accountable. Petty could be up to being on Daniher with May and Lever intercepting.

So for me the two risks are:

1. It will all be about about midfield efficiency and tackles. Brisbane play with speed, so force turnovers and capitalise.

2. They love playing the man and not the ball. Can’t get sucked into their game like we did in R12 and give them a 20 point head start. Need to protect Gawn and Oliver.

Like these ideas ...